Pennsylvania

Chipotle Must Rehire Employee Who Was Critical of Company on Twitter: Pennsylvania Judge

A judge found that Chipotle's social media policy violated the National Labor Relations Act, Philly.com reports

An administrative judge has ordered Chipotle to rehire a Philadelphia-area employee who was fired after criticizing the company on Twitter last year.

Philly.com reports the judge on Monday found that Chipotle's social media policy violated the National Labor Relations Act. Chipotle was ordered to pay back wages to James Kennedy and post notices telling employees some of its past policies violated labor laws.

Kennedy had tweeted about the company's "cheap" labor policies. He was fired two weeks later after circulating a petition asking managers to allow workers to take their breaks.

"A lot of times your bosses will sugarcoat what's going on" to their bosses, Kennedy told Philly.com. "Doing it publicly really puts the spotlight on them."

The 38-year-old Upper Darby man has since found a job with American Airlines. He says he doesn't want his job back but is willing to accept his back pay in food vouchers.

Colorado-based Chipotle didn't immediately comment Wednesday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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